David Cameron wants a straightforward In/Out referendum as soon as possible

Downing Street couldn’t be clearer about an In/Out referendum. It should happen as soon as possible, says the prime minister's spokesman, because businesses need to know whether or not to plan on the basis of secession: “uncertainty has a detrimental effect on the economy”.

As for the question on the ballot paper, that's equally straightforward. There should be no nonsense, says Number 10, about renegotiation, partial repatriation or any other middle way. The only meaningful choice is a binary one: stay in or get out.

The In/Out referendum which the PM was talking about was Scotland's. But I'm blowed if I can see how his logic doesn't apply with equal force to Britain's referendum on leaving the EU.